Orthopedic Surgery Work-Life Balance: What Doctors Actually Say

Based on 89 verified physician responses, Orthopedic Surgery has a 4.2/10 average career satisfaction rating.87% of Orthopedic Surgery physicians say they would choose the specialty again if starting their career over. The average Orthopedic Surgery physician works 54 hours per week.

Orthopedic Surgery physicians commonly report loving: building meaningful patient relationships, intellectual stimulation and diagnostic challenges, clinical variety, the ability to make a tangible difference in patient outcomes, and procedural diversity. Many also appreciate the collegial environment and opportunities for subspecialization.

Based on SalaryDr data, Orthopedic Surgery physicians work an average of 54 hours per week. This varies by practice setting—academic and hospital-employed positions often require more hours than private practice.

The most commonly cited challenges from Orthopedic Surgery physicians include: administrative burden and documentation requirements, call schedules impacting personal time, work-life balance pressures (especially early in career), and compensation concerns relative to training length. Some also mention challenging patient populations or high-acuity cases as sources of stress.

87% of Orthopedic Surgery physicians surveyed say they would choose Orthopedic Surgeryagain if starting their career over. This data is based on 89 verified, anonymous physician responses collected by SalaryDr.